Since playing their last full-scale UK tour in 2022, the group, led by bass guitarist Jean-Jacques Burnel, have turned their minds to how they would like to celebrate the milestone with their fans. They have decided to embark on a short tour visiting some truly special venues to mark their golden anniversary. Formed in 1974, The Stranglers’ uncompromising attitude was embraced by the punk movement of the late 70s but their musicianship and menace transcended the genre.
After all, it’s a celebratory tour!” Burnel says that he never imagined that the band would last this long. “No one imagines that, especially in those days. Half a century later and we’re still rocking it.” As for highlights, he says: “There are loads. One of the early ones was playing with AC/DC and The Who at Wembley; we’d been written off and then Golden Brown was a world-wide hit. “More recently, charting so high with Dark Matters.